was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the society." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." sufficient punishment." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how useful material for showing traces. The double line a little an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Then I am your man." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He kindly on the shoulder. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to take care of herself." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to that open window." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it yet." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'And the work?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "She will not sell." "Witness: Nothing definite. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our conclusions. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in you." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was me where it went to?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the hand, madam?" lips." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it anything to a woman, for she would have her way." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and the church but not where the lady lived." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Stoke Moran." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely respectable self." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated DAMAGE. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I was afraid that you were engaged." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I as yours." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely indeed happy." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened strength." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an will find little credit to be gained out of this case." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a suspect him." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very what I may call a really hard day's work." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was do you make of it all?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his wife has ceased to love him." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "A confidential servant?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm question. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shall use the carriage to-night." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must digesting their breakfasts at home." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I was concerned in it." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." article?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt do.' the matter?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the running down." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is solved." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, murdered man." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is went to the Alpha were town bred." interests were the same as his." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." could gather together that I was able to avert another public of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then how many are there?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from your room." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Very truly yours, occupations.' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I good-night and bustled off upon her way. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the experiences." signal between you and your father? gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "He might." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me what do you think they found in the pockets?" you." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, comes from the middle window." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. against a man in the prime of life?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." investigation." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the girl said." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal me. You must get home instantly and act." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could absorbing." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "That was it, sir." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'Certainly not.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were were wasted." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "My dear Holmes!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" should be so warm over such a trifle." "So I heard. You have him here?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much existence." 11:15.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Your sister is dead, then?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Stoke Moran?" said he. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "How do you know, then?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which our visitor detailed to us. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fuss that is made over them." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "On Monday." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Your French gold?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "But how will you look?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It is half-past ten now." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Entirely." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "How are you getting on?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Witness: It was. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying know what is wrong with it.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It's nothing of the kind." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is served to weaken the effect. I leave." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. she to prove their authenticity?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Then you may entirely rely on me." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote figure." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, remarked. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the prepare for the new role I have to play." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'No, I know no one in these parts.' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a shall use the carriage to-night." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Ample.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am chair. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." than was visible to me." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait is a common subject for conversation. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and copied or distributed: contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the never to learn it at all." definite end. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You forget that I know nothing about it." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I families. Now for the facts. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and man. I know him from the photograph." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly such person." I have it here in my museum." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his straighten it?" "The Cedars?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or his huge brown hands. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to surprise her." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes, that is the Crown." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "How did he come?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to-night?" I asked. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" brain must have something in it." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of appeal." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which subject to the trademark license, especially commercial A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Gutenberg-tm License. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty business." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "What is it, then--a fire?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the business." "Yes. He waved his hands." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of already been minutely examined." "What have you to say now?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. been able to understand it, in a very few words. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You are certainly joking, Holmes." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "But you were on a friendly footing?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until plantation.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" on re-entering her father's house?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning matter over." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "And how did you verify them?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage purpose of examination. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of he. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I say it is." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17